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Collective Worship
Holy Cross College
Prayer and Liturgy Policy
Mission Statement
Holy Cross, founded by the Daughters of the Cross, is a Catholic Sixth Form College and University Centre, which exists to provide a high quality education within a community based on Gospel values.
We provide the opportunity for each person to develop spiritually, morally and intellectually and emotionally and we welcome students and staff of all faiths.
Rationale
The mission of Holy Cross is to provide a holistic education for young people where everything we do is underpinned by the teaching and example of Christ.
The gospel values and the values handed down to us by our founders, the Daughters of the Cross, inspire our work as a community, from the relationships between us, our Ethical Framework, the policies and strategic decisions made, as well as the curriculum and pastoral care offered.
To this end, we seek to enable staff and students the opportunity to grow spiritually during their time at Holy Cross through the Collective Worship on offer.
Policy Intent
The intention of this policy is to ensure that the collective worship provided by the college is both meaningful, relevant and accessible for all.
The guidelines stated in the policy allow the staff and students involved in preparing acts of collective worship to understand the aims of the worship as well as the practical steps necessary.
The policy also enables monitoring and evaluation of collective worship by leaders and governors.
Purpose of Prayer and Liturgy
The purpose of Prayer and Liturgy in Holy Cross is:
- To celebrate the Eucharist
- To follow the liturgical year of the Church
- To allow opportunities for the sacrament of reconciliation
- To promote a deeper awareness of God
- To be reminded of our dependency upon the grace of God
- To enable people to grow in their own relationship with God
- To develop a sense of community and belonging
- To foster an appreciation and respect of awe, wonder and mystery
- To endorse our college values of joy, faith, service, vision, daring, compassion and humility
- To give thanks for the unique gifts and talents of our college community
- To reflect on key gospel values such as forgiveness, peace and sacrifice
- To promote the dignity, self-worth and value of each person
- To provide opportunities for evangelisation and catechesis
- To allow space and time for personal reflection
- To provide comfort and hope in times of grief and loss
- To celebrate key achievements and events in the college community
- To respond appropriately to times of crisis in the life of an individual, the college, the local community, diocese or wider world.
Our College Community
The Prayer and Liturgy at Holy Cross stands firm on the college’s foundation of being primarily a Catholic college which has a duty to provide acts of worship that are Catholic in nature and allow for the celebration of the Eucharist, sacraments and the liturgical year.
We acknowledge and respect, however, that there are members of our community who are of different religious faiths, and people of no religious faith. They are not to be excluded from collective worship in college; moreover, any member of the community is welcome and encouraged attend any act of worship offered.
The variety of collective worship provided by Holy Cross will always be inclusive in its nature and will regularly reflect the diversity of the college community.
Guidelines
- The chapel is open daily from 8am – 4pm
- The college prayer is provided to all staff in the planner or as a prayer card.
- The college prayer is in every meeting room.
- Staff briefing begins with a prayer or reflection which is organised by a rota that reflects the people in each area of the college.
- Whole staff meetings, SLT meetings, Curriculum Leaders’ and Support Managers’ meetings begin with the college prayer.
- The college Lay Chaplain will take the lead in preparing acts of Prayer and Liturgy.
- Staff and students are involved in planning and delivering acts of Prayer and Liturgy.
- The staff Mission and Ethos working party is invited to help prepare acts of Prayer and Liturgy.
- Voluntary mass will be celebrated once a month in the chapel.
- There is an annual special mass to celebrate the Year of (Charism of the Year)
- Whole staff mass will be celebrated on the first day of the new academic year, on the last day of term before Christmas and on the last day of the academic year in the hall.
- The sacrament of reconciliation will be offered once a month and on request in the chapel.
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be offered every Friday lunchtime in the chapel.
- Liturgical assemblies for all students will be held in Advent and Lent in the chapel joined with RE1. This will be led by the Lay Chaplain and RE Team.
- Whole student body assemblies will begin with the college prayer.
- The multi-Faith room is available for personal prayer during lunchtimes.
- All students and staff will be introduced to the chapel during the Chaplaincy induction session (via RE for students).
- An annual Remembrance Liturgy will be offered in the quad.
- Daily morning prayer is offered in the chapel.
- Prayer opportunities for Curriculum Areas are offered monthly in the chapel
- New staff will be offered a half day retreat as part of their induction into the college.
- The Faith Ambassadors will prepare an inter-faith service during National Inter-Faith week.
- Links will be encouraged with local partner high schools, the local parishes and wider community, including invitations to the Monthly Masses.
- The display boards outside the Chaplaincy will provide relevant information about Prayer and Liturgy and opportunities to get involved with in the local area and diocese.
- The Lay Chaplain will advertise the Lourdes Pilgrimage and meet monthly with the established group to prepare for the Pilgrimage.
- Students will be given the opportunity to attend Day/Residential Retreats with onsite or at an external Retreat Centre.
- There is a poster of the mission statement, college prayer and college values in every classroom and office.
- Staff have annual Catholic Life CPD.
- Governing Body meetings begin with a prayer or a Mission Minute.
- SLT meetings begin with a prayer or a Mission Minute.
Monitoring and Evaluation
The Catholic Life Committee of the Governing Body will monitor and evaluate the provision, outcomes and leadership of collective worship, meeting three times a year.
The Principal, Curriculum Leader for RE and lay-Chaplain will prepare a report and/or update in these three meetings.
The Catholic Life SAR and QIP will be scrutinised and validated by the Catholic Life Committee.
The link Governor for Catholic Life will visit the Chaplain at least twice a year. Governors are encouraged and invited to attend Monthly Masses and Seasonal Liturgies.